# The Bookseller of Florence

Canonical: https://www.bookquiver.com/ross-king/the-bookseller-of-florence/9781784709372

![The Bookseller of Florence](https://quivercdn.com/covers/vintage/ross-king/the-bookseller-of-florence_978-17-8470-937-2-636e3bd6.webp?v=2026-09-26%2005%3A02%3A03)

- Book: [The Bookseller of Florence](https://www.bookquiver.com/ross-king/the-bookseller-of-florence) ([The Bookseller of Florence.md](https://www.bookquiver.com/ross-king/the-bookseller-of-florence.md))
- Authors: [Ross King](https://www.bookquiver.com/ross-king)
- Publisher: Vintage
- ISBN: 978-17-8470-937-2
- Pages: 496
- Published: 2022-04-07
- Language: en_GB
- Binding: Softcover

## Description

'A marvel of storytelling and a masterclass in the history of the book' WALL STREET JOURNAL The Renaissance in Florence conjures images of beautiful frescoes and elegant buildings - the dazzling handiwork of the city's artists and architects. But equally important were geniuses of another kind: Florence's manuscript hunters, scribes, scholars and booksellers. At a time where all books were made by hand, these people helped imagine a new and enlightened world. At the heart of this activity was a remarkable bookseller: Vespasiano da Bisticci. His books were works of art in their own right, copied by talented scribes and illuminated by the finest miniaturists. With a client list that included popes and royalty, Vespasiano became the 'king of the world's booksellers'. But by 1480 a new invention had appeared: the printed book, and Europe's most prolific merchant of knowledge faced a formidable new challenge. 'A spectacular life of the book trade's Renaissance man' JOHN CAREY, SUNDAY TIMES